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Category Archives: diy / projects

I’m the first to admit that baking is not my strong suit; I’m far more skilled at putting a room together than I am whipping up a pavlova. But I got in the kitchen recently and gave baking muffins a go anyway. And of course, when I say “I”, what I mean is that my partner did most of the baking; I took pictures, asked when they would be ready and consumed the results. Which, I must argue, is most of the hard work right there (recipe is included in this post, too: macadamia, white choc and berry muffins).

I’ve received some glorious kudos this week from both the team at IKEA and you divine Creatives for the living room makeover I performed over the weekend (shucks and thanks!). One of the stars of the show was this personalised serving tray that I took from birch wood to black and white stripe. The process is really straight-forward but I think the results are pretty smashing. Here’s how to pimp your own tray if you’re in the mood for a quick project!

I was going to start this post with a “If it’s one thing I love about winter” vibe, but truth be told – I love everything about winter! Candles, though, are distinctly winter if you ask me, so I’m rather fond of making my own scented varieties when Mother Nature lowers the temperature.

I love to personalise, because let’s face it; anyone can go out to the stores and buy a mass-produced piece of art (snore!). If it’s one design trend I am all over like a rash, it’s the concept of making your space truly one of a kind by using sentimental moments from your own life to really carve out your home’s identity. Case in point: putting numbers in a box frame to commemorate those special occasions!

I’m a big believer in personalisation. I don’t want something that everyone else has. Thankfully, there are very easy ways to take mass-produced items and make them your own. This mood board makeover is a classic example. The original magnet board is from IKEA. It’s fine as it is, of course (if that’s your thing), but I have far too much fabric not to put it to good use. And I know IKEA would be all for it. So, here we go. Get your creative hat on and let’s do this!

I finally made the treck out to Mum’s place this week and got to work on stage two of my sewing machine training – making an actual cushion. I did have visions of needles going through fingers and a blood-stained cushion adorning my couch. But surprisingly, the end result was actually nice!

Once upon a time, a stationery addict discovered that craft stores stocked sheets of decorative, textured paper. Once this discovery was made, covering items around the home with paper got a little out of control…

Surely I am not the only one who goes to Spotlight (or any craft store) for no purpose other than to see what you can make with their current stock. Case in point – this brekkie in bed tray – which started off as plain, MDF-style wood and ended up looking rather cute!

I think there are two types of people in the world; people who think that finding furniture on the roadside to refurb is dirty, disgusting and the things horror films are made of – and then, there’s me. Call me crazy, call it gross, but I love nothing more than slamming on the car brakes when I see a piece on the side of the road and hauling it back home to do over. Case in point – this amazing now-bedside table!

Turning this $15 stool that i found at Vinnies into a cute piece for my place was easier than I thought it would be. And surprisingly, it was pretty cheap too. I’m absolutely in love with this stool now (should there be a fire this might be the first thing I take). And the best part, when I get sick of the fabric on top it’s a cinch to change up! Check out how it all came together…